Communication skills are essential in any interpersonal interaction. Whether you are writing an email, sending a text, or speaking to someone in person, these skills can help you relay your message more effectively and get an appropriate response.
If we break down the concept of communication, there are many facets. Firstly, it can be verbal or nonverbal, so we must be aware of specific cues, especially when talking to someone face-to-face. Learning about body language can help us be more aware of how someone feels and their willingness to engage.
Secondly, communication also consists of language and making meaning of symbols. Given that there are so many different languages in the world, it makes sense that there are nuances in how people from varying cultures communicate.
In this post, we’ll discuss essential communication skills that can help you navigate the complexities of verbal and nonverbal communication and intercultural interactions.
1. Listening
In her TED Talk, radio show host Celeste Headlee talks about the importance of listening and how it is a highly underrated skill. Unfortunately, many of us are so eager to respond in a conversation that we forget to listen.
As she states in her talk, everything that everyone tells you about how to show you’re paying attention isn’t necessary. You don’t need to prove it if you’re genuinely paying attention! Genuine listening means being present and not getting distracted by thoughts or things you want to say in the conversation.
Therefore, active listening means being present and listening to what the other person is saying and how they are saying it. It means letting go of your expectations of the conversation and being open to learning instead of focusing on getting your point across.
Active listening can mean being more aware of gestures, facial expressions, and body language in a nonverbal context. Responding and asking clarifying questions to ensure you fully understand what the person is saying can also assist intercultural communication.
2. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to feel something similar to what someone else feels, which isn’t always easy. Many of us need to develop empathy through asking questions and listening to feedback. Active listening is critical to developing our empathic skills.
In an article about how to develop empathy, VeryWellMind recommends listening for emotion. We often listen to people’s words, but are we hearing their feelings? If we can better understand people’s feelings, we can better address their needs.
Another aspect of developing empathy is being vulnerable. Empathy is a two-way street. To build this capacity when listening to others, we also need to be aware of our own emotions and share these with others.
Developing this competency in the workplace and intercultural interactions can help navigate conversations and potential conflicts, which we’ll discuss in the next point.
3. Conflict resolution skills
Conflict is inevitable and doesn’t always need to lead to an argument or tense situation. If we develop conflict resolution skills, we can identify and address potential problems before they escalate.
When we don’t resolve conflict, it can lead to toxic relationships where we never address the root cause of the disagreement. However, it’s possible to prevent and/or manage conflict with the right communication skills.
Learning to have difficult conversations, which requires various communication skills, is beneficial in both personal and professional environments. Following the points above, active listening and empathy are critical components of managing conflict effectively.
In summary, it is vital to be clear in your communication, seek to understand the other person’s point of view and check that you are both on the same page or agree to disagree.
4. Negotiation skills
Listening, empathy, and conflict resolution abilities are critical to hone in any relationship or environment. Negotiation skills are related to conflict resolution skills, which can come into play in heated and non-heated conversations.
Learning how to negotiate means listening to both parties and what they want. Negotiation requires adept communication as you navigate between two or more opposing points of view and help everyone involved agree on a solution.
When we think of negotiating, we might think of managing a high-stakes business deal or having to sign a contract. However, negotiating is a constant part of our everyday relationships as we navigate meeting our needs versus those of others.
5. Persuasion skills
Persuasion is a valuable communication skill. It is not about being pushy but convincing people. Developing this skill requires learning to construct a solid argument and showing evidence to support your claims.
Considering all of the other critical skills we have analysed in this article, persuasion is a core part of communicating effectively. By listening and practising, we can develop better solutions and help make them a reality by convincing others of their value.
Enhance your communication skills with SACAP Global
This post has covered various skills, including listening, empathy, conflict resolution, negotiation, and persuasion. In theory, we might understand the value of these skills, but how do we start learning and honing them in practice?
At SACAP Global, we offer short online courses focused on developing relevant and practical communication skills. These include the following:
- Effective Interpersonal Communication
- Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication: Relationships & Conflict Management
- How to Have Critical Conversations
For further information about what we offer, browse our course list.